New Bradwell War Memorial, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes

Entry Name: New Bradwell War Memorial

Listing Date: 10 February 2017

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1441007

ID on this website: 101441007

Location: Stantonbury, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK14

County: Milton Keynes

Civil Parish: Stantonbury

Traditional County: Buckinghamshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Buckinghamshire

Church of England Parish: Stantonbury and Willen

Church of England Diocese: Oxford

Tagged with: War memorial

Summary

First World War memorial, unveiled on 7 May 1920, with further names added after the Second World War.

Description

MATERIALS: Portland stone.

DESCRIPTION: New Bradwell War Memorial is located within New Bradwell Cemetery. It consists of a sculpture of a Private of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. The figure is standing to attention with a rifle at his side. He stands on three steps which rise from a square plinth with and entablature embellished with carved decorative details. The plinth is set upon a three-stepped base.

The inscriptions are in lead lettering and the main dedication reads TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THE BRAVE MEN/ OF THE PARISH OF BRADWELL/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ (NAMES). The rear is inscribed with the names of the fallen from the Second World War preceded by 1939 – 1945. One side of the plinth is incised OUR GLORIOUS DEAD. The final face reads FOR COUNTRY. The first step of the base has a note about the erection of the memorial TO FULFIL THE PROMISE OF PRIVATE/ ROBERT KYLIE JP. CA./ THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HIS FAMILY.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England, both as a result of the huge impact the loss of three quarters of a million British lives had on communities and the official policy of not repatriating the dead, which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at New Bradwell Cemetery as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War.

It commemorates 87 local servicemen who died during the First World War. The memorial was erected by the family of the late Alderman, Private Robert Kylie JP CA in accordance with his wishes and bequeathed to New Bradwell. It was created by mason Mr McArthur Gurney and unveiled on 7 May 1920 by W W Carlile OBE DL.

Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 15 fallen of that conflict.

Reasons for Listing

New Bradwell War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the C20;
* Architectural interest: an impressive composition with finely carved stonework and figurative sculpture displaying a high level of craftsmanship and good quality materials;
* Designer: by mason Mr McArthur Gurney.

External Links

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